Multiple user (MU) short feedback response in wireless communications

ABSTRACT

A wireless communication device (alternatively, device, WDEV, etc.) includes at least one processing circuitry configured to support communications with other WDEV(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. In some examples, the device includes a communication interface and a processing circuitry, among other possible circuitries, components, elements, etc. to support communications with other WDEV(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. The WDEV generates a trigger frame that requests feedback responses from other WDEV(s) and transmit the trigger frame to the plurality of other WDEV(s). Then, in response to the trigger frame and based on agreed-upon parameters, the WDEV receives simultaneously the feedback responses that include a first feedback response from a first other WDEV and a second feedback response from a second other WDEV (e.g., within respective orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) resource unit(s) (RU(s)) as specified by the agreed-upon parameters.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS/PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present U.S. Utility Patent Application claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. § 120 as a continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No.15/426,875, entitled “Multiple user (MU) short feedback response inwireless communications,” filed Feb. 7, 2017, which claims prioritypursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/305,461, entitled “Multiple user (MU) short feedback response inwireless communications,” filed Mar. 8, 2016; U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/333,650, entitled “Multiple user (MU) short feedbackresponse in wireless communications,” filed May 9, 2016; U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/409,754, entitled “Multiple user (MU)short feedback response in wireless communications,” filed Oct. 18,2016; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/452,189, entitled“Multiple user (MU) short feedback response in wireless communications,”filed Jan. 30, 2017, all of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entirety and made part of the present U.S. UtilityPatent Application for all purposes.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems; and,more particularly, to communications to and from wireless communicationdevices within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/ormultiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communications.

Description of Related Art

Communication systems support wireless and wire lined communicationsbetween wireless and/or wire lined communication devices. The systemscan range from national and/or international cellular telephone systems,to the Internet, to point-to-point in-home wireless networks and canoperate in accordance with one or more communication standards. Forexample, wireless communication systems may operate in accordance withone or more standards including, but not limited to, IEEE 802.11x (wherex may be various extensions such as a, b, n, g, etc.), Bluetooth,advanced mobile phone services (AMPS), digital AMPS, global system formobile communications (GSM), etc., and/or variations thereof.

In some instances, wireless communication is made between a transmitter(TX) and receiver (RX) using single-input-single-output (SISO)communication. Another type of wireless communication issingle-input-multiple-output (SIMO) in which a single TX processes datainto radio frequency (RF) signals that are transmitted to a RX thatincludes two or more antennas and two or more RX paths.

Yet an alternative type of wireless communication ismultiple-input-single-output (MISO) in which a TX includes two or moretransmission paths that each respectively converts a correspondingportion of baseband signals into RF signals, which are transmitted viacorresponding antennas to a RX. Another type of wireless communicationis multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) in which a TX and RX eachrespectively includes multiple paths such that a TX parallel processesdata using a spatial and time encoding function to produce two or morestreams of data and a RX receives the multiple RF signals via multipleRX paths that recapture the streams of data utilizing a spatial and timedecoding function.

Various communications in wireless communications are performed forvarious purposes. Regardless of the reason for such communications, suchcommunications consume available bandwidth and occupy the communicationmedium. The prior art does not provide acceptably effective means bywhich the communication medium can be used most effectively whilemaximizing access to all wireless communication devices within suchwireless communication systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a wirelesscommunication system.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of dense deployment ofwireless communication devices.

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an example of communication betweenwireless communication devices.

FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating another example of communicationbetween wireless communication devices.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of orthogonal frequencydivision multiplexing (OFDM) and/or orthogonal frequency divisionmultiple access (OFDMA).

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating another example of OFDM and/or OFDMA.

FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating another example of OFDM and/or OFDMA.

FIG. 3D is a diagram illustrating another example of OFDM and/or OFDMA.

FIG. 3E is a diagram illustrating an example of single-carrier (SC)signaling.

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of an OFDM/A packet.

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating another example of an OFDM/A packet ofa second type.

FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating an example of at least one portion ofan OFDM/A packet of another type.

FIG. 4D is a diagram illustrating another example of an OFDM/A packet ofa third type.

FIG. 4E is a diagram illustrating another example of an OFDM/A packet ofa fourth type.

FIG. 4F is a diagram illustrating another example of an OFDM/A packet.

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating another example of an OFDM/A packet.

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating another example of an OFDM/A packet.

FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating another example of an OFDM/A packet.

FIG. 5D is a diagram illustrating another example of an OFDM/A packet.

FIG. 5E is a diagram illustrating another example of an OFDM/A packet.

FIG. 5F is a diagram illustrating an example of selection amongdifferent OFDM/A frame structures for use in communications betweenwireless communication devices and specifically showing OFDM/A framestructures corresponding to one or more resource units (RUs).

FIG. 5G is a diagram illustrating an example of various types ofdifferent resource units (RUs).

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating another example of various types ofdifferent RUs.

FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating another example of various types ofdifferent RUs.

FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating an example of various types ofcommunication protocol specified physical layer (PHY) fast Fouriertransform (FFT) sizes.

FIG. 6D is a diagram illustrating an example of different channelbandwidths and relationship there between.

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an example of OFDMA/TDMA feedback.

FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an example of a simulation ofoperation.

FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating another example of OFDMA/TDMAfeedback.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of OFDMA/spatial stream (SS)feedback.

FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method forexecution by one or more wireless communication devices.

FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a method forexecution by one or more wireless communication devices.

FIG. 9C is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a method forexecution by one or more wireless communication devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a wirelesscommunication system 100. The wireless communication system 100 includesbase stations and/or access points 112-116, wireless communicationdevices 118-132 (e.g., wireless stations (STAs)), and a network hardwarecomponent 134. The wireless communication devices 118-132 may be laptopcomputers, or tablets, 118 and 126, personal digital assistants 120 and130, personal computers 124 and 132 and/or cellular telephones 122 and128. Other examples of such wireless communication devices 118-132 couldalso or alternatively include other types of devices that includewireless communication capability. The details of an embodiment of suchwireless communication devices are described in greater detail withreference to FIG. 2B among other diagrams.

Some examples of possible devices that may be implemented to operate inaccordance with any of the various examples, embodiments, options,and/or their equivalents, etc. described herein may include, but are notlimited by, appliances within homes, businesses, etc. such asrefrigerators, microwaves, heaters, heating systems, air conditioners,air conditioning systems, lighting control systems, and/or any othertypes of appliances, etc.; meters such as for natural gas service,electrical service, water service, Internet service, cable and/orsatellite television service, and/or any other types of meteringpurposes, etc.; devices wearable on a user or person including watches,monitors such as those that monitor activity level, bodily functionssuch as heartbeat, breathing, bodily activity, bodily motion or lackthereof, etc.; medical devices including intravenous (IV) medicinedelivery monitoring and/or controlling devices, blood monitoring devices(e.g., glucose monitoring devices) and/or any other types of medicaldevices, etc.; premises monitoring devices such as movementdetection/monitoring devices, door closed/ajar detection/monitoringdevices, security/alarm system monitoring devices, and/or any other typeof premises monitoring devices; multimedia devices includingtelevisions, computers, audio playback devices, video playback devices,and/or any other type of multimedia devices, etc.; and/or generally anyother type(s) of device(s) that include(s) wireless communicationcapability, functionality, circuitry, etc. In general, any device thatis implemented to support wireless communications may be implemented tooperate in accordance with any of the various examples, embodiments,options, and/or their equivalents, etc. described herein.

The base stations (BSs) or access points (APs) 112-116 are operablycoupled to the network hardware 134 via local area network connections136, 138, and 140. The network hardware 134, which may be a router,switch, bridge, modem, system controller, etc., provides a wide areanetwork connection 142 for the communication system 100. Each of thebase stations or access points 112-116 has an associated antenna orantenna array to communicate with the wireless communication devices inits area. Typically, the wireless communication devices register with aparticular base station or access point 112-116 to receive services fromthe communication system 100. For direct connections (i.e.,point-to-point communications), wireless communication devicescommunicate directly via an allocated channel.

Any of the various wireless communication devices (WDEVs) 118-132 andBSs or APs 112-116 may include a processing circuitry and/or acommunication interface to support communications with any other of thewireless communication devices 118-132 and BSs or APs 112-116. In anexample of operation, a processing circuitry and/or a communicationinterface implemented within one of the devices (e.g., any one of theWDEVs 118-132 and BSs or APs 112-116) is/are configured to process atleast one signal received from and/or to generate at least one signal tobe transmitted to another one of the devices (e.g., any other one of theWDEVs 118-132 and BSs or APs 112-116).

Note that general reference to a communication device, such as awireless communication device (e.g., WDEVs) 118-132 and BSs or APs112-116 in FIG. 1, or any other communication devices and/or wirelesscommunication devices may alternatively be made generally herein usingthe term ‘device’ (e.g., with respect to FIG. 2A below, “device 210”when referring to “wireless communication device 210” or “WDEV 210,” or“devices 210-234” when referring to “wireless communication devices210-234”; or with respect to FIG. 2B below, use of “device 310” mayalternatively be used when referring to “wireless communication device310”, or “devices 390 and 391 (or 390-391)” when referring to wirelesscommunication devices 390 and 391 or WDEVs 390 and 391). Generally, suchgeneral references or designations of devices may be usedinterchangeably.

The processing circuitry and/or the communication interface of any oneof the various devices, WDEVs 118-132 and BSs or APs 112-116, may beconfigured to support communications with any other of the variousdevices, WDEVs 118-132 and BSs or APs 112-116. Such communications maybe uni-directional or bi-directional between devices. Also, suchcommunications may be uni-directional between devices at one time andbi-directional between those devices at another time.

In an example, a device (e.g., any one of the WDEVs 118-132 and BSs orAPs 112-116) includes a communication interface and/or a processingcircuitry (and possibly other possible circuitries, components,elements, etc.) to support communications with other device(s) and togenerate and process signals for such communications. The communicationinterface and/or the processing circuitry operate to perform variousoperations and functions to effectuate such communications (e.g., thecommunication interface and the processing circuitry may be configuredto perform certain operation(s) in conjunction with one another,cooperatively, dependently with one another, etc. and other operation(s)separately, independently from one another, etc.). In some examples,such a processing circuitry includes all capability, functionality,and/or circuitry, etc. to perform such operations as described herein.In some other examples, such a communication interface includes allcapability, functionality, and/or circuitry, etc. to perform suchoperations as described herein. In even other examples, such aprocessing circuitry and a communication interface include allcapability, functionality, and/or circuitry, etc. to perform suchoperations as described herein, at least in part, cooperatively with oneanother.

In an example of implementation and operation, a wireless communicationdevice (e.g., any one of the WDEVs 118-132 and BSs or APs 112-116)includes a processing circuitry to support communications with one ormore of the other wireless communication devices (e.g., any other of theWDEVs 118-132 and BSs or APs 112-116). For example, such a processingcircuitry is configured to perform both processing operations as well ascommunication interface related functionality. Such a processingcircuitry may be implemented as a single integrated circuit, a system ona chip, etc.

In another example of implementation and operation, a wirelesscommunication device (e.g., any one of the WDEVs 118-132 and BSs or APs112-116) includes a processing circuitry and a communication interfaceconfigured to support communications with one or more of the otherwireless communication devices (e.g., any other of the WDEVs 118-132 andBSs or APs 112-116).

In an example of operation and implementation, the B S/AP 116 supportscommunications with WDEVs 130, 132. The BS/AP 116 is configured togenerate a trigger frame that requests feedback responses from the WDEVs130, 132. The BS/AP 116 then is configured to transmit the trigger frameto the WDEVs 130, 132. Then, in response to the trigger frame and basedon agreed-upon parameters between the BS/AP 116 and the WDEVs 130, 132,The BS/AP 116 is configured to receive simultaneously the feedbackresponses that include a first feedback response from WDEV 130 and asecond feedback response from WDEV 132. For example, the first feedbackresponse from the WDEV 130 can be included within a first orthogonalfrequency division multiple access (OFDMA) resource unit (RU) asspecified by the agreed-upon parameters, and the second feedbackresponse from the WDEV 132 may be included within the first OFDMA RU ora second OFDMA RU as specified by the agreed-upon parameters.

In some examples, the agreed-upon parameters and the manner ofcommunication between the BS/AP 116 and WDEVs 130, 132 allow for theWDEVs 130, 132 to provide feedback responses in a very short format andeven using signals that exclude any preamble. For example, such feedbackresponses may be viewed as very short messages and are significantlyshorter than typical message communicated in accordance with variouscommunication standards, protocol, and/or recommended practices such asIEEE 801.11 and/or various amendments thereof. In a specific example,such a feedback response includes a message with no preamble whatsoever.

In general, and from certain perspectives, such operations are performedto effectuate the answering process of question. For example, BS/AP 116considers to ask a question to WDEVs 130, 132. The WDEVs 130, 132provide their respective responses by populating certainsub-carriers/tones with energy (e.g., based on the agreed-uponparameters). Such question(s)/answer(s) (Q(s)/A(s)) between the BS/AP116 and WDEVs 130, 132 is based on a pre-defined Q(s)/A(s). In oneexample, the BS/AP 116 transmits a null data packet (NDP) to WDEVs 130,132 and/or then transmits a trigger frame to the WDEVs 130, 132, andthose WDEVs 130, 132 send feedback responses based on the trigger frame.Based on the agreed-upon parameters, both the BS/AP 116 and WDEVs 130,132 know details such as how many bits are included in each feedbackresponse, etc. Also, in some examples, note that the Q(s)/A(s) haverelatively low-complexity (e.g., one situation being the BS/AP 116soliciting yes/no responses from the WDEVs 130, 132). Because of thistype of very efficient signaling, etc., note that the BS/AP 116 andWDEVs 130, 132 do not need to perform such feedback responses thatinclude preambles and there is no need to perform additional operationssuch as channel estimation (CH-EST). The agreed-upon parameters ensurethat the BS/AP 116 and WDEVs 130, 132 both know the Q(s) and thepossible A(s) to that those Q(s), so that the communications may beeffectuated very efficiently and effectively including some examplesusing feedback responses that exclude any preamble therein.

In some examples, the BS/AP 116 is configured to receive an orthogonalfrequency division multiple access (OFDMA) frame that includes the firstfeedback response from WDEV 130 within the first OFDMA RU as specifiedby the agreed-upon parameters and the second feedback response from WDEV132 within the first OFDMA RU or the second OFDMA RU as specified by theagreed-upon parameters.

Also, in even other examples, the BS/AP 116 is configured to determinethat the first feedback response includes a first feedback responsevalue (e.g., a yes value) from the WDEV 130 when the first feedbackresponse includes energy on a first OFDMA sub-carrier set within thefirst OFDMA RU and substantially no energy on a second OFDMA sub-carrierset within the first OFDMA RU and to determine that the first feedbackresponse includes a second feedback response value (e.g., a no value)from the WDEV 130 when the first feedback response includessubstantially no energy on the first OFDMA sub-carrier set within thefirst OFDMA RU and substantially includes energy on the second OFDMAsub-carrier set within the first OFDMA RU.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an embodiment 201 of dense deploymentof wireless communication devices (shown as WDEVs in the diagram). Anyof the various WDEVs 210-234 may be access points (APs) or wirelessstations (STAs). For example, WDEV 210 may be an AP or an AP-operativeSTA that communicates with WDEVs 212, 214, 216, and 218 that are STAs.WDEV 220 may be an AP or an AP-operative STA that communicates withWDEVs 222, 224, 226, and 228 that are STAs. In certain instances, atleast one additional AP or AP-operative STA may be deployed, such asWDEV 230 that communicates with WDEVs 232 and 234 that are STAs. TheSTAs may be any type of one or more wireless communication device typesincluding wireless communication devices 118-132, and the APs orAP-operative STAs may be any type of one or more wireless communicationdevices including as BSs or APs 112-116. Different groups of the WDEVs210-234 may be partitioned into different basic services sets (BSSs). Insome instances, at least one of the WDEVs 210-234 are included within atleast one overlapping basic services set (OBSS) that cover two or moreBSSs. As described above with the association of WDEVs in an AP-STArelationship, one of the WDEVs may be operative as an AP and certain ofthe WDEVs can be implemented within the same basic services set (BSS).

This disclosure presents novel architectures, methods, approaches, etc.that allow for improved spatial re-use for next generation WiFi orwireless local area network (WLAN) systems. Next generation WiFi systemsare expected to improve performance in dense deployments where manyclients and APs are packed in a given area (e.g., which may be an area[indoor and/or outdoor] with a high density of devices, such as a trainstation, airport, stadium, building, shopping mall, arenas, conventioncenters, colleges, downtown city centers, etc. to name just someexamples). Large numbers of devices operating within a given area can beproblematic if not impossible using prior technologies.

In an example of operation and implementation, the WDEV 210 supportscommunications with WDEVs 214, 218. The WDEV 210 is configured togenerate a trigger frame that requests feedback responses from the WDEVs214, 218. The WDEV 210 then is configured to transmit the trigger frameto the WDEVs 214, 218. Then, in response to the trigger frame and basedon agreed-upon parameters between the WDEV 210 and the WDEVs 214, 218,The WDEV 210 is configured to receive simultaneously the feedbackresponses that include a first feedback response from WDEV 214 and asecond feedback response from WDEV 218. For example, the first feedbackresponse from the WDEV 214 can be included within a first orthogonalfrequency division multiple access (OFDMA) resource unit (RU) asspecified by the agreed-upon parameters, and the second feedbackresponse from the WDEV 218 may be included within the first OFDMA RU ora second OFDMA RU as specified by the agreed-upon parameters.

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an example 202 of communicationbetween wireless communication devices. A wireless communication device310 (e.g., which may be any one of devices 118-132 as with reference toFIG. 1) is in communication with another wireless communication device390 (and/or any number of other wireless communication devices upthrough another wireless communication device 391) via a transmissionmedium. The wireless communication device 310 includes a communicationinterface 320 to perform transmitting and receiving of at least onesignal, symbol, packet, frame, etc. (e.g., using a transmitter 322 and areceiver 324) (note that general reference to packet or frame may beused interchangeably).

Generally speaking, the communication interface 320 is implemented toperform any such operations of an analog front end (AFE) and/or physicallayer (PHY) transmitter, receiver, and/or transceiver. Examples of suchoperations may include any one or more of various operations includingconversions between the frequency and analog or continuous time domains(e.g., such as the operations performed by a digital to analog converter(DAC) and/or an analog to digital converter (ADC)), gain adjustmentincluding scaling, filtering (e.g., in either the digital or analogdomains), frequency conversion (e.g., such as frequency upscaling and/orfrequency downscaling, such as to a baseband frequency at which one ormore of the components of the device 310 operates), equalization,pre-equalization, metric generation, symbol mapping and/or de-mapping,automatic gain control (AGC) operations, and/or any other operationsthat may be performed by an AFE and/or PHY component within a wirelesscommunication device.

In some implementations, the wireless communication device 310 alsoincludes a processing circuitry 330, and an associated memory 340, toexecute various operations including interpreting at least one signal,symbol, packet, and/or frame transmitted to wireless communicationdevice 390 and/or received from the wireless communication device 390and/or wireless communication device 391. The wireless communicationdevices 310 and 390 (and/or 391) may be implemented using at least oneintegrated circuit in accordance with any desired configuration orcombination of components, modules, etc. within at least one integratedcircuit. Also, the wireless communication devices 310, 390, and/or 391may each include one or more antennas for transmitting and/or receivingof at least one packet or frame (e.g., WDEV 390 may include m antennas,and WDEV 391 may include n antennas).

Also, in some examples, note that one or more of the processingcircuitry 330, the communication interface 320 (including the TX 322and/or RX 324 thereof), and/or the memory 340 may be implemented in oneor more “processing modules,” “processing circuits,” “processors,”and/or “processing units” or their equivalents. Considering one example,one processing circuitry 330 a may be implemented to include theprocessing circuitry 330, the communication interface 320 (including theTX 322 and/or RX 324 thereof), and the memory 340. Considering anotherexample, one processing circuitry 330 b may be implemented to includethe processing circuitry 330 and the memory 340 yet the communicationinterface 320 is a separate circuitry.

Considering even another example, two or more processing circuitries maybe implemented to include the processing circuitry 330, thecommunication interface 320 (including the TX 322 and/or RX 324thereof), and the memory 340. In such examples, such a “processingcircuitry” or “processing circuitries” (or “processor” or “processors”)is/are configured to perform various operations, functions,communications, etc. as described herein. In general, the variouselements, components, etc. shown within the device 310 may beimplemented in any number of “processing modules,” “processingcircuits,” “processors,” and/or “processing units” (e.g., 1, 2, . . . ,and generally using N such “processing modules,” “processing circuits,”“processors,” and/or “processing units”, where N is a positive integergreater than or equal to 1).

In some examples, the device 310 includes both processing circuitry 330and communication interface 320 configured to perform variousoperations. In other examples, the device 310 includes processingcircuitry 330 a configured to perform various operations. In even otherexamples, the device 310 includes processing circuitry 330 b configuredto perform various operations. Generally, such operations includegenerating, transmitting, etc. signals intended for one or more otherdevices (e.g., device 390 through 391) and receiving, processing, etc.other signals received for one or more other devices (e.g., device 390through 391).

In some examples, note that the communication interface 320, which iscoupled to the processing circuitry 330, that is configured to supportcommunications within a satellite communication system, a wirelesscommunication system, a wired communication system, a fiber-opticcommunication system, and/or a mobile communication system (and/or anyother type of communication system implemented using any type ofcommunication medium or media). Any of the signals generated andtransmitted and/or received and processed by the device 310 may becommunicated via any of these types of communication systems.

FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating another example 203 of communicationbetween wireless communication devices. In an example, at or during afirst time (e.g., time 1 (ΔT1)), the WDEV 310 transmits signal(s) toWDEV 390, and/or the WDEV 390 transmits other signal(s) to WDEV 310. Ator during a second time (e.g., time 2 (ΔT2)), the WDEV 310 processessignal(s) received from WDEV 390, and/or the WDEV 390 processessignal(s) received from WDEV 310.

In some examples, the signal(s) communicated between WDEV 310 and theWDEVs 390-391 may include orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM)/orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) frame(s),trigger frame(s), response(s) and/or other information for use insupporting other communications between WDEV 310 and WDEVs 390-391.

In an example of implementation and operation, WDEV 310 generates andtransmits a trigger frame to WDEVs 390-391. The respective WDEVs 390-391transmit feedback responses to the trigger frame.

In a particular example, the WDEV 310 is configured to generate atrigger frame that requests feedback responses from a WDEVs 390, 391 andto transmit the trigger frame to the WDEVs 390, 391. Then, in responseto the trigger frame and based on agreed-upon parameters between theWDEV 310 and the WDEVs 390, 391, the WDEV 310 is configured to receive(e.g., sometimes simultaneously) the feedback responses that include afirst feedback response from a WDEV 390 within a first orthogonalfrequency division multiple access (OFDMA) resource unit (RU) asspecified by the agreed-upon parameters and a second feedback responsefrom a WDEV 391 within the first OFDMA RU or a second OFDMA RU asspecified by the agreed-upon parameters.

In some examples, the WDEV 310 is also configured to receive an OFDMAframe that includes the first feedback response from the WDEV 390 withinthe first OFDMA RU as specified by the agreed-upon parameters and thesecond feedback response from the WDEV 391 within the first OFDMA RU orthe second OFDMA RU as specified by the agreed-upon parameters. In evenother examples, the WDEV 310 is further configured to determine that thefirst feedback response includes a first feedback response value (e.g.,a first predetermined response of any desired value, one specificexample being a yes response) from the WDEV 390 when the first feedbackresponse includes energy on a first OFDMA sub-carrier set within thefirst OFDMA RU and substantially no energy on a second OFDMA sub-carrierset within the first OFDMA RU and to determine that the first feedbackresponse includes a second feedback response value (e.g., a secondpredetermined response of any desired value, one specific example beinga no response) from the WDEV 390 when the first feedback responseincludes substantially no energy on the first OFDMA sub-carrier setwithin the first OFDMA RU and substantially includes energy on thesecond OFDMA sub-carrier set within the first OFDMA RU.

Also, in other examples, the WDEV 310 is further configured to perform,after receiving simultaneously the feedback responses, a frame exchangewith the WDEVs 390, 391 to determine other agreed-upon parametersbetween the WDEV 310 and the WDEVs 390, 391. For example, differentrespective agreed-upon parameters between the WDEV 310 and the WDEVs390, 391 may be made from time to time and based on any desiredconsiderations. The, the WDEV 310 is further configured to generateanother trigger frame that requests other feedback responses from theWDEVs 390, 391 and to transmit the another trigger frame to the WDEVs390, 391. The WDEV 310 is further configured to perform simultaneously,in response to the another trigger frame and based the other agreed-uponparameters between the WDEV 310 and the WDEVs 390, 391, a third feedbackresponse from the WDEV 390 within a third OFDMA RU as specified by theother agreed-upon parameters and a fourth feedback response from theWDEV 391 or a third other WDEV within the third OFDMA RU or a fourthOFDMA RU as specified by the other agreed-upon parameters.

In some particular examples, the first feedback response from the WDEV390 includes a first number of bits (e.g., X bits where X is a positiveinteger), and the second feedback response from the WDEV 391 alsoincludes the first number of bits. The third feedback response from theWDEV 390 includes a second number of bits that is different than thefirst number of bits (e.g., Y bits where Y is another positive integerdifferent than X), and the fourth feedback response from the WDEV 391 orthe third other WDEV includes the second number of bits.

In even other examples, before transmitting the trigger frame to theWDEVs 390, 391, the WDEV 310 is further configured to perform, a frameexchange with the WDEVs 390, 391 to determine the agreed-upon parametersbetween the WDEV 310 and the WDEVs 390, 391. Note that the agreed-uponparameters may include any one or more of a number of WDEVs within theWDEVs 390, 391 (e.g., 2 WDEVs, 3 WDEVs, 4 WDEVs, or more WDEVs), RUallocations to be used by the WDEVs 390, 391 including the first OFDMARU to be used by the WDEV 390 and the second OFDMA RU to be used by theWDEV 391, a first OFDMA sub-carrier set within the first OFDMA RU to beused by the WDEV 390 to provide a first feedback response value and asecond OFDMA carrier set within the first OFDMA RU to be used by theWDEV 390 to provide a second feedback response value, at least oneP-matrix to be used by at least one of the WDEVs 390, 391 whentransmitting at least one of the feedback responses to the WDEV 310, atleast one number of OFDMA symbols to be used by the at least one of theWDEVs 390, 391 when transmitting the at least one of the feedbackresponses to the WDEV 310, and/or at least one of a number of bits to beincluded by the at least one of the WDEVs 390, 391 when transmitting theat least one of the feedback responses to the WDEV 310.

With respect to an example that allows WDEV 310 to decide the number ofbits per response, the robustness (Nx) and the spreading number ofspatial streams, Nss (e.g., as may be achieved using an appropriatelyselected P-matrix). For example, of WDEV 310 sends to WDEVs 390, 391 thefollowing three parameters (e.g., for agreed-upon parameters) for thenull data packet (NDP) short feedback response:

1. Nb=1, 2, 3 or 4 (number of bits in response)

2. Nx=1, 2, or 4 (number of symbols per lbit to transmit, control therobustness)

3. Nss=1, 2, or 4 (P-matrix size and number of OFDMA symbols); where

Nb×Nx<=Nss

Examples in 20 MHz may be as follows:

A. 9 STAs with 1b response, maximum efficiency (less robustness): Nb=1,Nx=1, Nss=1 (one OFDMA symbol)

B. 9 STAs with 1b response, minimum efficiency (more robustness): Nb=1,Nx=4, Nss=1 (four OFDMA symbols)

C. 9 STAs with 2b response, medium efficiency (moderate robustness):Nb=2, Nx=2, Nss=4 (four OFDMA symbols)

D. 18 STAs with 1b response, maximum efficiency (less robustness): Nb=1,Nx=1, Nss=2 (two OFDMA symbols)

E. 36 STAs with 1b response, maximum efficiency (less robustness): Nb=1,Nx=1, Nss=4 (four OFDMA symbols)

In the examples above, {D, E} are like a first Option #1 that uses aP-matrix for spreading (e.g., to add more users while keeping a samenumber of bits) and {C} is like an Option #2 (where a user is assigned agiven set of sub-carriers, and a P-matrix is used to get more possiblestates, such as 1×1 P-matrix for 1 bit), 2×2 P-matrix for 2 bits, and4×4 P-matrix for 3 or 4 bits, such as to add more bits per user).

With this novel scheme, NDP feedback response from a WDEV (WDEV 390 orWDEV 391) could be set to be always on a common set of 6 tones and to bewithin a single 26 tones RU. Response could range from 1 to 4 bits. Inthis novel scheme, the WDEV 310 decides the maximum Nss supported. For agiven Nss, implementation is the same at AP whatever the multiplesstates are originating one or multiple STAs. The WDEV 310 can balancebetween robustness and maximum number of users.

An example of a P-matrix is an orthogonal matrix (e.g., P_(2x2)=[top row[1 1], bottom row [1 −1]]). Different respective P-matrices of differentsizes (e.g., 4×4, 6×6, 8×8, etc.) can be formed. For example, a 4×4P-matrix can be formed such as by a combination of a 2×2 P-matrix andusing conjugation methods. In some examples, a P-matrix may be viewed asbeing a complex square matrix with every principal minor greater thanzero (0). In wireless communications, the use of a P-matrix can providefor spreading of respective sub-carriers to allow for more states acrossa given set of sub-carriers. For example, the use of a P-matrix can beused to perform spreading of signal to provide for allow for more bitsin signaling that may be used for more users and/or more bits per user.As some examples, a 1×1 P-matrix would not provide for additional bits(e.g., result in just 1 bit), but a 2×2 P-matrix would provide foradditional bits (e.g., result in 2 bits), and a 4×4 P-matrix would alsoprovide for additional bits (e.g., result in 3 or 4 bits, as may bedesired in different examples).

This disclosure presents, among other things, a novel signalingmechanism, scheme, protocol, approach, recommended practice, etc. forthe multiple users (MUs) (e.g., multiusers) feedback such a triggerframe (e.g., such as a AP trigger frame from an AP, an AP-operative STA,such as the WDEV 310).

In one examples, feedback responses from the WDEVs 390-391 can include:Positive (YES), Negative (NO) or No response.

This disclosure shows various novel examples of short uplink (UL)feedback that may be used to improve efficiency and reduce latency.

In an example of implementation and operation including query andfeedback, WDEV 310 generates and transmits an AP query downlink (DL) toWDEV 390 to determine if WDEV 390 has any information, data, etc. to betransmitted uplink (UL) to the WDEV 310 (e.g., WDEV 310 asks WDEV 390,the question: “Do you have something to send?”). The WDEV 390 respondswith “YES” or “NO” by appropriate signaling based on the agree-uponparameters. In some instances, while the WDEV 390 transmits a responseto WDEV 310, such a response may not be successfully received by theWDEV 310.

Various examples operate herein using novel signaling for the multiusersfeedback (e.g., from WDEVs 390-391 to WDEV 310) from a trigger frame(e.g., feedback from WDEVs 390-391 to WDEV 310 such as in response to anAP trigger frame from WDEV 310). Examples of feedback responses:Positive (YES), Negative (NO).

Feedback Signaling:

In an example of implementation and operation, a response for one STAoccupies one 26 tone RU [RU26] (e.g., see FIG. 6A-7C for examples ofvarious sized resource units (RUs), channel bandwidths, etc.).

Such feedback signals can be implemented using 3 levels (e.g., −1, +1,and 0).

Considering an example where peak to average power ratio (PAPR) is 2.84dB, 13 tones are BPSK modulated with a Barker sequence at +3 dB, suchthat 13 tones are nulls. Compensation of +3 dB may be used for 13 nullstones per RU26. Note that this is not a power boosting.

Non-nulls and nulls tones are interleaved in frequency to minimizeimpairments from channel.

Examples of 3 possible responses on a 26 tones RU may be as follows:

Yes=[+1, 0, +1, 0, +1, 0, +1, 0, +1, 0, −1, 0, −1, 0, +1, 0, +1, 0, −1,0, +1, 0, −1, 0, +1, 0]*sqrt(2);

No=[0, +1, 0, +1, 0, +1, 0, +1, 0, +1, 0, −1, 0, −1, 0, +1, 0, +1, 0,−1, 0, +1, 0, −1, 0, +1]*sqrt(2);

No response=[ 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0];

Note that channel estimation need not be required at a receiver (e.g.,RX, STA).

The receiver (RX) processing can be of very low complexity such thatthere is no threshold adjustment and robust to interference. In someexamples, if circular rotations of the Barker sequence and correlatorsare used at a receiver (RX), then up to 12 additional response types canbe added. Note that various types of RU sizes may be allocated to WDEVsfor use to make their feedback responses, various pattern(s) ofsub-carriers of respective set(s) of sub-carriers within those RU(s),and different parameters may be used for the respective agreed-uponparameters that govern the communications between the wirelesscommunication devices including the feedback response(s) used therein.

In other examples, two different options for sequence in the feedbackresponse may be used: (1) Barker 13 sequence and/or (2) HE-LTF 2×sequence.

Also, two options for multiplexing the MU responses may be used: (1)orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA)/time divisionmultiple access (TDMA) and/or (2) OFDMA/Spatial Stream (encoded usingthe P-Matrix).

A WDEV (e.g., WDEV 390, STA) that participates in a HE (High Efficiency)Trigger based PLCP Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) transmission may beimplemented to have certain characteristics. Such operation may be basedon section 22.3.12.4.6. Examples of such characteristics may include anyone or more of: Timing accuracy of ±400 ns (800 ns p-to-p), carrierfrequency offset (CFO) error with respect to the corresponding Triggerframe shall not exceed 350 Hz measured as the 10% point of complementarycumulative distribution function (CCDF) of CFO errors at a RX (receive)power of −60 dBm in a primary 20 MHz, absolute transmit (TX) powerrequirements and the received signal strength indicator (RSSI)measurement accuracy requirements for the two device classes (e.g.,Class A: TX power accuracy: +/−3 dB, RSSI measurement accuracy: +/−3 dB,and a dynamic range of 6 dB; and Class B: TX power accuracy: +/−9 dBRSSI accuracy: +/−5 dB, and a dynamic range of 14 dB).

Certain examples of device feedback response from a receiver device(e.g., from a STA, a WDEV, etc.) are described below. A STA feedbackresponse occupies one RU26 in frequency (e.g., where RU26 indicates aresource unit (RU) with 26 total sub-carriers such as with respect toFIG. 7B). Symbol time (excluding Cyclic prefix (CP)) is 12.8micro-seconds (μs). Sequence is 13 tones per RU26 interleaved with 13nulls tones (e.g., this can minimize the impairments from channelresponse). Sequence power is set to +3 dB to compensate for the 13 nullstones (e.g., consider the total power for 26 tones RU remain the same).A transmitting device (e.g., AP, AP-operative STA, etc.) can operate tosignal to the receiver devices (e.g., from STAs, WDEVs, etc.) the targetRSSI level.

Examples of feedback response may be as follows:

1. “YES”: a STA send a 13 tones sequence on RU26 at even tone indices(see Table 1) (e.g., note an exception is center RU26 where even on pos.and odd on neg. tone indices).

2. “NO”: STA send a 13 tones sequence on RU26 at odd tone indices (seetable 1) (e.g., note an exception is center RU26 where odd at pos. andeven on neg. tone indices).

Note that the exception described above is because the center RU26 has14 even and 12 odd tones. For better or best performance, an equalnumber of non-nulls to nulls tones is used.

TABLE 1 Sequence Tones Indices in 20 MHz YES NO RU26 #1 −120:2:−96−121:2:−95 RU26 #2 −94:2:−70 −95:2:−71 RU26 #3 −68:2:−44 −67:2:−43 RU26#4 −42:2:−18 −43:2:−17 RU26 #5 −15:2:−5, 4:2:16 −16:2:−4, 5:2:15 RU26 #618:2:42 17:2:41 RU26 #7 44:2:68 43:2:67 RU26 #8 70:2:94 71:2:95 RU26 #996:2:120 97:2:121 Note: Tone indices for 80 MHz follows the 20 MHz rulewith an exception for center RU26. Tone indices for 40 MHz follows the20 MHz rule without the center RU26.

Signal Properties

Various signal properties are described below with respect to theoperations described herein. Channel estimation is not required at thereceiver (e.g., RX, where RX refers to receiver, STA, WDEV, etc.). RXprocess is trivial, so no threshold adjustment (e.g., compare the sum ofpower at EVEN with ODD tone locations).

Signal is robust to interference and channel response. Detection isunaffected by timing offset. Note that outdoor environment couldintroduce large timing offset. The timing error delta (4) for multipleSTAs (e.g., 800 nano-seconds (ns)) with 120 m outdoor, results in 1.6 μsof timing offset. Note that this includes a 360° phase rotation across 8adjacent sub-carriers based on a flat channel (e.g., flat frequencyresponse).

A response includes an affirmative “YES” or “NO”. Note that a “NOresponse” is not an implied “NO”. Note that a “No response” from a STAcould mean STA did not received the query, is out of range, or the APdid not decode properly the feedback response.

There may be interference prone environments where queries from AP orresponses from STAs are missed. An AP can identify the STAs with “Noresponse” and treat them accordingly. Note also that strong interferencedoes not generate a large number of false “YES” or “NO” feedbackresponses.

In another example of implementation and operation, the WDEV 310includes both a processing circuitry to perform many of the operationsdescribed above and also includes a communication interface, coupled tothe processing circuitry, that is configured to support communicationswithin a satellite communication system, a wireless communicationsystem, a wired communication system, a fiber-optic communicationsystem, and/or a mobile communication system. The processing circuitryis configured to transmit the first OFDMA packet and/or the second OFDMApacket to WDEV 390 and/or WDEV 391 via the communication interface.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example 301 of orthogonal frequencydivision multiplexing (OFDM) and/or orthogonal frequency divisionmultiple access (OFDMA). OFDM's modulation may be viewed as dividing upan available spectrum into a plurality of narrowband sub-carriers (e.g.,relatively lower data rate carriers). The sub-carriers are includedwithin an available frequency spectrum portion or band. This availablefrequency spectrum is divided into the sub-carriers or tones used forthe OFDM or OFDMA symbols and packets/frames. Note that sub-carrier ortone may be used interchangeably. Typically, the frequency responses ofthese sub-carriers are non-overlapping and orthogonal. Each sub-carriermay be modulated using any of a variety of modulation coding techniques(e.g., as shown by the vertical axis of modulated data).

A communication device may be configured to perform encoding of one ormore bits to generate one or more coded bits used to generate themodulation data (or generally, data). For example, a processingcircuitry and the communication interface of a communication device maybe configured to perform forward error correction (FEC) and/or errorchecking and correction (ECC) code of one or more bits to generate oneor more coded bits. Examples of FEC and/or ECC may include turbo code,convolutional code, turbo trellis coded modulation (TTCM), low densityparity check (LDPC) code, Reed-Solomon (RS) code, BCH (Bose andRay-Chaudhuri, and Hocquenghem) code, binary convolutional code (BCC),Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC), and/or any other type of ECC and/or FECcode and/or combination thereof, etc. Note that more than one type ofECC and/or FEC code may be used in any of various implementationsincluding concatenation (e.g., first ECC and/or FEC code followed bysecond ECC and/or FEC code, etc. such as based on an inner code/outercode architecture, etc.), parallel architecture (e.g., such that firstECC and/or FEC code operates on first bits while second ECC and/or FECcode operates on second bits, etc.), and/or any combination thereof. Theone or more coded bits may then undergo modulation or symbol mapping togenerate modulation symbols. The modulation symbols may include dataintended for one or more recipient devices. Note that such modulationsymbols may be generated using any of various types of modulation codingtechniques. Examples of such modulation coding techniques may includebinary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK),8-phase shift keying (PSK), 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), 32amplitude and phase shift keying (APSK), etc., uncoded modulation,and/or any other desired types of modulation including higher orderedmodulations that may include even greater number of constellation points(e.g., 1024 QAM, etc.).

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating another example 302 of OFDM and/orOFDMA. A transmitting device transmits modulation symbols via thesub-carriers. Note that such modulation symbols may include datamodulation symbols, pilot modulation symbols (e.g., for use in channelestimation, characterization, etc.) and/or other types of modulationsymbols (e.g., with other types of information included therein). OFDMand/or OFDMA modulation may operate by performing simultaneoustransmission of a large number of narrowband carriers (or multi-tones).In some applications, a guard interval (GI) or guard space is sometimesemployed between the various OFDM symbols to try to minimize the effectsof ISI (Inter-Symbol Interference) that may be caused by the effects ofmulti-path within the communication system, which can be particularly ofconcern in wireless communication systems.

In addition, as shown in right hand side of FIG. 3A, a cyclic prefix(CP) and/or cyclic suffix (CS) (e.g., shown in right hand side of FIG.3A, which may be a copy of the CP) may also be employed within the guardinterval to allow switching time (e.g., such as when jumping to a newcommunication channel or sub-channel) and to help maintain orthogonalityof the OFDM and/or OFDMA symbols. In some examples, a certain amount ofinformation (e.g., data bits) at the end portion of the data portionis/are copied and placed at the beginning of the data to form theframe/symbol(s). In a specific example, consider that the data includesdata bits x₀, x₁, . . . x_(N-Ncp), . . . , x_(N-1), where the x_(N-Ncp)bit is the first bit of the end portion of the data portion that is tobe copied, then the bits x_(N-Ncp), x_(N-1), are copied and placed atthe beginning of the frame/symbol(s). Note that such end portion of thedata portion is/are copied and placed at the beginning of the data toform the frame/symbol(s) may also be shifted, cyclically shifted, and/orcopied more than once, etc. if desired in certain embodiments. Generallyspeaking, an OFDM and/or OFDMA system design is based on the expecteddelay spread within the communication system (e.g., the expected delayspread of the communication channel).

In a single-user system in which one or more OFDM symbols or OFDMpackets/frames are transmitted between a transmitter device and areceiver device, all of the sub-carriers or tones are dedicated for usein transmitting modulated data between the transmitter and receiverdevices. In a multiple user system in which one or more OFDM symbols orOFDM packets/frames are transmitted between a transmitter device andmultiple recipient or receiver devices, the various sub-carriers ortones may be mapped to different respective receiver devices asdescribed below with respect to FIG. 3C.

FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating another example 303 of OFDM and/orOFDMA. Comparing OFDMA to OFDM, OFDMA is a multi-user version of thepopular orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) digitalmodulation scheme. Multiple access is achieved in OFDMA by assigningsubsets of sub-carriers to individual recipient devices or users. Forexample, first sub-carrier(s)/tone(s) may be assigned to a user 1,second sub-carrier(s)/tone(s) may be assigned to a user 2, and so on upto any desired number of users. In addition, such sub-carrier/toneassignment may be dynamic among different respective transmissions(e.g., a first assignment for a first packet/frame, a second assignmentfor second packet/frame, etc.). An OFDM packet/frame may include morethan one OFDM symbol. Similarly, an OFDMA packet/frame may include morethan one OFDMA symbol. In addition, such sub-carrier/tone assignment maybe dynamic among different respective symbols within a givenpacket/frame or superframe (e.g., a first assignment for a first OFDMAsymbol within a packet/frame, a second assignment for a second OFDMAsymbol within the packet/frame, etc.). Generally speaking, an OFDMAsymbol is a particular type of OFDM symbol, and general reference toOFDM symbol herein includes both OFDM and OFDMA symbols (and generalreference to OFDM packet/frame herein includes both OFDM and OFDMApackets/frames, and vice versa). FIG. 3C shows example 303 where theassignments of sub-carriers to different users are intermingled amongone another (e.g., sub-carriers assigned to a first user includesnon-adjacent sub-carriers and at least one sub-carrier assigned to asecond user is located in between two sub-carriers assigned to the firstuser). The different groups of sub-carriers associated with each usermay be viewed as being respective channels of a plurality of channelsthat compose all of the available sub-carriers for OFDM signaling.

FIG. 3D is a diagram illustrating another example 304 of OFDM and/orOFDMA. In this example 304, the assignments of sub-carriers to differentusers are located in different groups of adjacent sub-carriers (e.g.,first sub-carriers assigned to a first user include first adjacentlylocated sub-carrier group, second sub-carriers assigned to a second userinclude second adjacently located sub-carrier group, etc.). Thedifferent groups of adjacently located sub-carriers associated with eachuser may be viewed as being respective channels of a plurality ofchannels that compose all of the available sub-carriers for OFDMsignaling.

FIG. 3E is a diagram illustrating an example 305 of single-carrier (SC)signaling. SC signaling, when compared to OFDM signaling, includes asingular relatively wide channel across which signals are transmitted.In contrast, in OFDM, multiple narrowband sub-carriers or narrowbandsub-channels span the available frequency range, bandwidth, or spectrumacross which signals are transmitted within the narrowband sub-carriersor narrowband sub-channels.

Generally, a communication device may be configured to include aprocessing circuitry and the communication interface (or alternatively aprocessing circuitry, such a processing circuitry 330 a and/orprocessing circuitry 330 b shown in FIG. 2B) configured to processreceived OFDM and/or OFDMA symbols and/or frames (and/or SC symbolsand/or frames) and to generate such OFDM and/or OFDMA symbols and/orframes (and/or SC symbols and/or frames).

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example 401 of an OFDM/A packet.This packet includes at least one preamble symbol followed by at leastone data symbol. The at least one preamble symbol includes informationfor use in identifying, classifying, and/or categorizing the packet forappropriate processing.

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating another example 402 of an OFDM/Apacket of a second type. This packet also includes a preamble and data.The preamble is composed of at least one short training field (STF), atleast one long training field (LTF), and at least one signal field(SIG). The data is composed of at least one data field. In both thisexample 402 and the prior example 401, the at least one data symboland/or the at least one data field may generally be referred to as thepayload of the packet. Among other purposes, STFs and LTFs can be usedto assist a device to identify that a frame is about to start, tosynchronize timers, to select an antenna configuration, to set receivergain, to set up certain the modulation parameters for the remainder ofthe packet, to perform channel estimation for uses such as beamforming,etc. In some examples, one or more STFs are used for gain adjustment(e.g., such as automatic gain control (AGC) adjustment), and a given STFmay be repeated one or more times (e.g., repeated 1 time in oneexample). In some examples, one or more LTFs are used for channelestimation, channel characterization, etc. (e.g., such as fordetermining a channel response, a channel transfer function, etc.), anda given LTF may be repeated one or more times (e.g., repeated up to 8times in one example).

Among other purposes, the SIGs can include various information todescribe the OFDM packet including certain attributes as data rate,packet length, number of symbols within the packet, channel width,modulation encoding, modulation coding set (MCS), modulation type,whether the packet as a single or multiuser frame, frame length, etc.among other possible information. This disclosure presents, among otherthings, a means by which a variable length second at least one SIG canbe used to include any desired amount of information. By using at leastone SIG that is a variable length, different amounts of information maybe specified therein to adapt for any situation.

Various examples are described below for possible designs of a preamblefor use in wireless communications as described herein.

FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating another example 403 of at least oneportion of an OFDM/A packet of another type. A field within the packetmay be copied one or more times therein (e.g., where N is the number oftimes that the field is copied, and N is any positive integer greaterthan or equal to one). This copy may be a cyclically shifted copy. Thecopy may be modified in other ways from the original from which the copyis made.

FIG. 4D is a diagram illustrating another example 404 of an OFDM/Apacket of a third type. In this example 404, the OFDM/A packet includesone or more fields followed by one of more first signal fields (SIG(s)1) followed by one of more second signal fields (SIG(s) 2) followed byand one or more data field.

FIG. 4E is a diagram illustrating another example 405 of an OFDM/Apacket of a fourth type. In this example 405, the OFDM/A packet includesone or more first fields followed by one of more first signal fields(SIG(s) 1) followed by one or more second fields followed by one of moresecond signal fields (SIG(s) 2) followed by and one or more data field.

FIG. 4F is a diagram illustrating another example 406 of an OFDM/Apacket. Such a general preamble format may be backward compatible withprior IEEE 802.11 prior standards, protocols, and/or recommendedpractices.

In this example 406, the OFDM/A packet includes a legacy portion (e.g.,at least one legacy short training field (STF) shown as L-STF, legacysignal field (SIG) shown as L-SIG) and a first signal field (SIG) (e.g.,VHT [Very High Throughput] SIG (shown as SIG-A)). Then, the OFDM/Apacket includes one or more other VHT portions (e.g., VHT short trainingfield (STF) shown as VHT-STF, one or more VHT long training fields(LTFs) shown as VHT-LTF, a second SIG (e.g., VHT SIG (shown as SIG-B)),and one or more data symbols.

Various diagrams below are shown that depict at least a portion (e.g.,preamble) of various OFDM/A packet designs.

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating another example 501 of an OFDM/Apacket. In this example 501, the OFDM/A packet includes a signal field(SIG) and/or a repeat of that SIG that corresponds to a prior or legacycommunication standard, protocol, and/or recommended practice relativeto a newer, developing, etc. communication standard, protocol, and/orrecommended practice (shown as L-SIG/R-L-SIG) followed by a first atleast one SIG based on a newer, developing, etc. communication standard,protocol, and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-SIG-A1, e.g., whereHE corresponds to high efficiency) followed by a second at least one SIGbased on a newer, developing, etc. communication standard, protocol,and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-SIG-A2, e.g., where HE againcorresponds to high efficiency) followed by a short training field (STF)based on a newer, developing, etc. communication standard, protocol,and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-STF, e.g., where HE againcorresponds to high efficiency) followed by one or more fields.

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating another example 502 of an OFDM/Apacket. In this example 502, the OFDM/A packet includes a signal field(SIG) and/or a repeat of that SIG that corresponds to a prior or legacycommunication standard, protocol, and/or recommended practice relativeto a newer, developing, etc. communication standard, protocol, and/orrecommended practice (shown as L-SIG/R-L-SIG) followed by a first atleast one SIG based on a newer, developing, etc. communication standard,protocol, and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-SIG-A1, e.g., whereHE corresponds to high efficiency) followed by a second at least one SIGbased on a newer, developing, etc. communication standard, protocol,and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-SIG-A2, e.g., where HE againcorresponds to high efficiency) followed by a third at least one SIGbased on a newer, developing, etc. communication standard, protocol,and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-SIG-A3, e.g., where HE againcorresponds to high efficiency) followed by a fourth at least one SIGbased on a newer, developing, etc. communication standard, protocol,and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-SIG-A4, e.g., where HE againcorresponds to high efficiency) followed by a STF based on a newer,developing, etc. communication standard, protocol, and/or recommendedpractice (shown as HE-STF, e.g., where HE again corresponds to highefficiency) followed by one or more fields.

FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating another example 502 of an OFDM/Apacket. In this example 503, the OFDM/A packet includes a signal field(SIG) and/or a repeat of that SIG that corresponds to a prior or legacycommunication standard, protocol, and/or recommended practice relativeto a newer, developing, etc. communication standard, protocol, and/orrecommended practice (shown as L-SIG/R-L-SIG) followed by a first atleast one SIG based on a newer, developing, etc. communication standard,protocol, and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-SIG-A1, e.g., whereHE corresponds to high efficiency) followed by a second at least one SIGbased on a newer, developing, etc. communication standard, protocol,and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-SIG-A2, e.g., where HE againcorresponds to high efficiency) followed by a third at least one SIGbased on a newer, developing, etc.

communication standard, protocol, and/or recommended practice (shown asHE-SIG-B, e.g., where HE again corresponds to high efficiency) followedby a STF based on a newer, developing, etc. communication standard,protocol, and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-STF, e.g., where HEagain corresponds to high efficiency) followed by one or more fields.This example 503 shows a distributed SIG design that includes a first atleast one SIG-A (e.g., HE-SIG-A1 and HE-SIG-A2) and a second at leastone SIG-B (e.g., HE-SIG-B).

FIG. 5D is a diagram illustrating another example 504 of an OFDM/Apacket. This example 504 depicts a type of OFDM/A packet that includes apreamble and data. The preamble is composed of at least one shorttraining field (STF), at least one long training field (LTF), and atleast one signal field (SIG).

In this example 504, the preamble is composed of at least one shorttraining field (STF) that corresponds to a prior or legacy communicationstandard, protocol, and/or recommended practice relative to a newer,developing, etc. communication standard, protocol, and/or recommendedpractice (shown as L-STF(s)) followed by at least one long trainingfield (LTF) that corresponds to a prior or legacy communicationstandard, protocol, and/or recommended practice relative to a newer,developing, etc. communication standard, protocol, and/or recommendedpractice (shown as L-LTF(s)) followed by at least one SIG thatcorresponds to a prior or legacy communication standard, protocol,and/or recommended practice relative to a newer, developing, etc.communication standard, protocol, and/or recommended practice (shown asL-SIG(s)) and optionally followed by a repeat (e.g., or cyclicallyshifted repeat) of the L-SIG(s) (shown as RL-SIG(s)) followed by anotherat least one SIG based on a newer, developing, etc. communicationstandard, protocol, and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-SIG-A,e.g., where HE again corresponds to high efficiency) followed by anotherat least one STF based on a newer, developing, etc. communicationstandard, protocol, and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-STF(s),e.g., where HE again corresponds to high efficiency) followed by anotherat least one LTF based on a newer, developing, etc. communicationstandard, protocol, and/or recommended practice (shown as HE-LTF(s),e.g., where HE again corresponds to high efficiency) followed by atleast one packet extension followed by one or more fields.

FIG. 5E is a diagram illustrating another example 505 of an OFDM/Apacket. In this example 505, the preamble is composed of at least onefield followed by at least one SIG that corresponds to a prior or legacycommunication standard, protocol, and/or recommended practice relativeto a newer, developing, etc. communication standard, protocol, and/orrecommended practice (shown as L-SIG(s)) and optionally followed by arepeat (e.g., or cyclically shifted repeat) of the L-SIG(s) (shown asRL-SIG(s)) followed by another at least one SIG based on a newer,developing, etc. communication standard, protocol, and/or recommendedpractice (shown as HE-SIG-A, e.g., where HE again corresponds to highefficiency) followed by one or more fields.

Note that information included in the various fields in the variousexamples provided herein may be encoded using various encoders. In someexamples, two independent binary convolutional code (BCC) encoders areimplemented to encode information corresponding to different respectivemodulation coding sets (MCSs) that are can be selected and/or optimizedwith respect to, among other things, the respective payload on therespective channel. Various communication channel examples are describedwith respect to FIG. 6D below.

Also, in some examples, a wireless communication device generatescontent that is included in the various SIGs (e.g., SIGA and/or SIGB) tosignal MCS(s) to one or more other wireless communication devices toinstruct which MCS(s) for those one or more other wireless communicationdevices to use with respect to one or more communications. In addition,in some examples, content included in a first at least one SIG (e.g.,SIGA) include information to specify at least one operational parameterfor use in processing a second at least one SIG (e.g., SIGB) within thesame OFDM/A packet.

Various OFDM/A frame structures are presented herein for use incommunications between wireless communication devices and specificallyshowing OFDM/A frame structures corresponding to one or more resourceunits (RUs). Such OFDM/A frame structures may include one or more RUs.Note that these various examples may include different total numbers ofsub-carriers, different numbers of data sub-carriers, different numbersof pilot sub-carriers, etc. Different RUs may also have different othercharacteristics (e.g., different spacing between the sub-carriers,different sub-carrier densities, implemented within different frequencybands, etc.).

FIG. 5F is a diagram illustrating an example 506 of selection amongdifferent OFDM/A frame structures for use in communications betweenwireless communication devices and specifically showing OFDM/A framestructures 350 corresponding to one or more resource units (RUs). Thisdiagram may be viewed as having some similarities to allocation ofsub-carriers to different users as shown in FIG. 4D and also shows howeach OFDM/A frame structure is associated with one or more RUs. Notethat these various examples may include different total numbers ofsub-carriers, different numbers of data sub-carriers, different numbersof pilot sub-carriers, etc. Different RUs may also have different othercharacteristics (e.g., different spacing between the sub-carriers,different sub-carrier densities, implemented within different frequencybands, etc.).

In one example, OFDM/A frame structure 1 351 is composed of at least oneRU 1 551. In another example, OFDM/A frame structure 1 351 is composedof at least one RU 1 551 and at least one RU 2 552. In another example,OFDM/A frame structure 1 351 is composed of at least one RU 1 551, atleast one RU 2 552, and at least one RU m 553. Similarly, the OFDM/Aframe structure 2 352 up through OFDM/A frame structure n 353 may becomposed of any combinations of the various RUs (e.g., including any oneor more RU selected from the RU 1 551 through RU m 553).

FIG. 5G is a diagram illustrating an example 507 of various types ofdifferent resource units (RUs). In this example 502, RU 1 551 includesA1 total sub-carrier(s), A2 data (D) sub-carrier(s), A3 pilot (P)sub-carrier(s), and A4 unused sub-carrier(s). RU 2 552 includes B1 totalsub-carrier(s), B2 D sub-carrier(s), B3 P sub-carrier(s), and B4 unusedsub-carrier(s). RU N 553 includes C1 total sub-carrier(s), C2 Dsub-carrier(s), C3 P sub-carrier(s), and C4 unused sub-carrier(s).

Considering the various RUs (e.g., across RU 1 551 to RU N 553), thetotal number of sub-carriers across the RUs increases from RU 1 551 toRU N 553 (e.g., A1<B1<C1). Also, considering the various RUs (e.g.,across RU 1 551 to RUN 553), the ratio of pilot sub-carriers to datasub-carriers across the RUs decreases from RU 1 551 to RU N 553 (e.g.,A3/A2>B3/B2>C3/C2).

In some examples, note that different RUs can include a different numberof total sub-carriers and a different number of data sub-carriers yetinclude a same number of pilot sub-carriers.

As can be seen, this disclosure presents various options for mapping ofdata and pilot sub-carriers (and sometimes unused sub-carriers thatinclude no modulation data or are devoid of modulation data) into OFDMAframes or packets (note that frame and packet may be usedinterchangeably herein) in various communications between communicationdevices including both the uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) such as withrespect to an access point (AP). Note that a user may generally beunderstood to be a wireless communication device implemented in awireless communication system (e.g., a wireless station (STA) or anaccess point (AP) within a wireless local area network (WLAN/WiFi)). Forexample, a user may be viewed as a given wireless communication device(e.g., a wireless station (STA) or an access point (AP), or anAP-operative STA within a wireless communication system). Thisdisclosure discussed localized mapping and distributed mapping of suchsub-carriers or tones with respect to different users in an OFDMAcontext (e.g., such as with respect to FIG. 4C and FIG. 4D includingallocation of sub-carriers to one or more users).

Some versions of the IEEE 802.11 standard have the following physicallayer (PHY) fast Fourier transform (FFT) sizes: 32, 64, 128, 256, 512.

These PHY FFT sizes are mapped to different bandwidths (BWs) (e.g.,which may be achieved using different downclocking ratios or factorsapplied to a first clock signal to generate different other clocksignals such as a second clock signal, a third clock signal, etc.). Inmany locations, this disclosure refers to FFT sizes instead of BW sinceFFT size determines a user's specific allocation of sub-carriers, RUs,etc. and the entire system BW using one or more mappings ofsub-carriers, RUs, etc.

This disclosure presents various ways by which the mapping of N users'sdata into the system BW tones (localized or distributed). For example,if the system BW uses 256 FFT, modulation data for 8 different users caneach use a 32 FFT, respectively. Alternatively, if the system BW uses256 FFT, modulation data for 4 different users can each use a 64 FFT,respectively. In another alternative, if the system BW uses 256 FFT,modulation data for 2 different users can each use a 128 FFT,respectively. Also, any number of other combinations is possible withunequal BW allocated to different users such as 32 FFT to 2 users, 64FFT for one user, and 128 FFT for the last user.

Localized mapping (e.g., contiguous sub-carrier allocations to differentusers such as with reference to FIG. 3D) is preferable for certainapplications such as low mobility users (e.g., that remain stationary orsubstantially stationary and whose location does not change frequently)since each user can be allocated to a sub-band based on at least onecharacteristic. An example of such a characteristic includes allocationto a sub-band that maximizes its performance (e.g., highest SNR orhighest capacity in multi-antenna system). The respective wirelesscommunication devices (users) receive frames or packets (e.g., beacons,null data packet (NDP), data, etc. and/or other frame or packet types)over the entire band and feedback their preferred sub-band or a list ofpreferred sub-bands. Alternatively, a first device (e.g., transmitter,AP, or STA) transmits at least one OFDMA packet to a secondcommunication device, and the second device (e.g., receiver, a STA, oranother STA) may be configured to measure the first device's initialtransmission occupying the entire band and choose a best/good orpreferable sub-band. The second device can be configured to transmit theselection of the information to the first device via feedback, etc.

In some examples, a device is configured to employ PHY designs for 32FFT, 64 FFT and 128 FFT as OFDMA blocks inside of a 256 FFT system BW.When this is done, there can be some unused sub-carriers (e.g., holes ofunused sub-carriers within the provisioned system BW being used). Thiscan also be the case for the lower FFT sizes. In some examples, when anFFT is an integer multiple of another, the larger FFT can be a duplicatea certain number of times of the smaller FFT (e.g., a 512 FFT can be anexact duplicate of two implementations of 256 FFT). In some examples,when using 256 FFT for system BW the available number of tones is 242that can be split among the various users that belong to the OFDMA frameor packet (DL or UL).

In some examples, a PHY design can leave gaps of sub-carriers betweenthe respective wireless communication devices (users) (e.g., unusedsub-carriers). For example, users 1 and 4 may each use a 32 FFTstructure occupying a total of 26×2=52 sub-carriers, user 2 may use a 64FFT occupying 56 sub-carriers and user 3 may use 128 FFT occupying 106sub-carriers adding up to a sum total of 214 sub-carriers leaving 28sub-carriers unused.

In another example, only 32 FFT users are multiplexed allowing up to 9users with 242 sub-carriers−(9 users×26 RUs)=8 unused sub-carriersbetween the users. In yet another example, for 64 FFT users aremultiplexed with 242 sub-carriers−(4 users×56 RUs)=18 unusedsub-carriers.

The unused sub-carriers can be used to provide better separation betweenusers especially in the UL where users's energy can spill into eachother due to imperfect time/frequency/power synchronization creatinginter-carrier interference (ICI).

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating another example 601 of various typesof different RUs. In this example 601, RU 1 includes X1 totalsub-carrier(s), X2 data (D) sub-carrier(s), X3 pilot (P) sub-carrier(s),and X4 unused sub-carrier(s). RU 2 includes Y1 total sub-carrier(s), Y2D sub-carrier(s), Y3 P sub-carrier(s), and Y4 unused sub-carrier(s). RUq includes Z1 total sub-carrier(s), Z2 D sub-carrier(s), Z3 Psub-carrier(s), and Z4 unused sub-carrier(s). In this example 601, notethat different RUs can include different spacing between thesub-carriers, different sub-carrier densities, implemented withindifferent frequency bands, span different ranges within at least onefrequency band, etc.

FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating another example 602 of various typesof different RUs. This diagram shows RU 1 that includes 26 contiguoussub-carriers that include 24 data sub-carriers, and 2 pilotsub-carriers; RU 2 that includes 52 contiguous sub-carriers that include48 data sub-carriers, and 4 pilot sub-carriers; RU 3 that includes 106contiguous sub-carriers that include 102 data sub-carriers, and 4 pilotsub-carriers; RU 4 that includes 242 contiguous sub-carriers thatinclude 234 data sub-carriers, and 8 pilot sub-carriers; RU 5 thatincludes 484 contiguous sub-carriers that include 468 data sub-carriers,and 16 pilot sub-carriers; and RU 6 that includes 996 contiguoussub-carriers that include 980 data sub-carriers, and 16 pilotsub-carriers.

Note that RU 2 and RU 3 include a first/same number of pilotsub-carriers (e.g., 4 pilot sub-carriers each), and RU 5 and RU 6include a second/same number of pilot sub-carriers (e.g., 16 pilotsub-carriers each). The number of pilot sub-carriers remains same orincreases across the RUs. Note also that some of the RUs include aninteger multiple number of sub-carriers of other RUs (e.g., RU 2includes 52 total sub-carriers, which is 2× the 26 total sub-carriers ofRU 1, and RU 5 includes 242 total sub-carriers, which is 2× the 242total sub-carriers of RU 4).

FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating an example 603 of various types ofcommunication protocol specified physical layer (PHY) fast Fouriertransform (FFT) sizes. The device 310 is configured to generate andtransmit OFDMA packets based on various PHY FFT sizes as specifiedwithin at least one communication protocol. Some examples of PHY FFTsizes, such as based on IEEE 802.11, include PHY FFT sizes such as 32,64, 128, 256, 512, 1024, and/or other sizes.

In one example, the device 310 is configured to generate and transmit anOFDMA packet based on RU 1 that includes 26 contiguous sub-carriers thatinclude 24 data sub-carriers, and 2 pilot sub-carriers and to transmitthat OFDMA packet based on a PHY FFT 32 (e.g., the RU 1 fits within thePHY FFT 32). In one example, the device 310 is configured to generateand transmit an OFDMA packet based on RU 2 that includes 52 contiguoussub-carriers that include 48 data sub-carriers, and 4 pilot sub-carriersand to transmit that OFDMA packet based on a PHY FFT 56 (e.g., the RU 2fits within the PHY FFT 56). The device 310 uses other sized RUs forother sized PHY FFTs based on at least one communication protocol.

Note also that any combination of RUs may be used. In another example,the device 310 is configured to generate and transmit an OFDMA packetbased on two RUs based on RU 1 and one RU based on RU 2 based on a PHYFFT 128 (e.g., two RUs based on RU 1 and one RU based on RU 2 includes atotal of 104 sub-carriers). The device 310 is configured to generate andtransmit any OFDMA packets based on any combination of RUs that can fitwithin an appropriately selected PHY FFT size of at least onecommunication protocol.

Note also that any given RU may be sub-divided or partitioned intosubsets of sub-carriers to carry modulation data for one or more users(e.g., such as with respect to FIG. 3C or FIG. 3D).

FIG. 6D is a diagram illustrating an example 604 of different channelbandwidths and relationship there between. In one example, a device(e.g., the device 310) is configured to generate and transmit any OFDMApacket based on any of a number of OFDMA frame structures within variouscommunication channels having various channel bandwidths. For example, a160 MHz channel may be subdivided into two 80 MHz channels. An 80 MHzchannel may be subdivided into two 40 MHz channels. A 40 MHz channel maybe subdivided into two 20 MHz channels. Note also such channels may belocated within the same frequency band, the same frequency sub-band oralternatively among different frequency bands, different frequencysub-bands, etc.

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an example 701 of OFDMA/TDMA feedback.Time division multiple access (TDMA) (e.g., such that different symbolsmay be transmitted at different times, e.g., S#1, S#2, S#3) may be usedin combination with orthogonal frequency division multiple access(OFDMA) (e.g., such as described with reference to FIG. 3A-3E). Aresponse from a WDEV may be a combination of OFMA and TDMA. Feedbackfrom N STA may be performed using a ceiling function, e.g., ceil(N/9)symbols in 20 MHz, ceil(N/36) symbols in 80 MHz.

Each STA may be uniquely assigned one RU26 (e.g., energy sent only onthe assigned RU26). Such operation avoids collision, and this providesno issues with respect to near/far STA.

FIG. 7A shows an example of feedback from 25 users (e.g., 25 wirelessstations (STAs), receivers, etc.). The feedback may be implemented using3 symbols (e.g., −1, +1, and 0). This example shows receiving “YES” fromSTAs with IDs: 5, 8, 18, 22 and 25 (hashed), and “NO” from the remainingSTA IDs (not hashed/solid).

FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an example 702 of a simulation ofoperation. A detection method, approach, etc. may be implemented asfollows: Detection method (3 outcomes): P1=sum(power in A locations),P0=sum(power in B locations), K=2; % decision scaling factor

(P1>K·P0)→YES

(P0>K·P1)→NO

(not(YES) & not(NO))→No response

In some examples, SNR may be calibrated for each 26 tones RU (e.g., per2 MHz channel or sub-channel).

An alternate detection method, approach, etc. may be implemented asfollows (for K=1):

Detection method (2 outcomes): P1=sum(power in A locations),P0=sum(power in B locations), K=1; % Scaling factor for decision

(P1≥K·P0)→YES

(P0>K·P1)→NO

Sequence options: 1 and 2

Examples of different sequence options are described below.

1. Barker 13 sequence, PAPR is 2.84 or 3.90 dB (center RU26):

[+1, +1, +1, +1, +1, −1, −1, +1, +1, −1, +1, −1, +1];

2. HE-LTF 2× sequence (e.g., such as described in IEEE 802.11ax“11-15-1334-00-00ax-he-ltf-sequence-design” below), PAPRs is from 3.27to 4.96 dB (center RU26):

“YES”: All RU26 except center RU26, use same indices as HE-LTF 2×.Center RU26, remove tone at −16 and shift negative indices tones by −1(see Table 1 above).

“NO”: All RU26 except center RU26, use odd tone indices by shiftingHE-LTF 2× sequence tone indices by +1 or −1. Center RU26, remove tone at+16 and shift positive indices tones by +1 (see Table 1 above).

Note: the probability of errors is same for both sequences. Note alsothat the Barker sequence has lower PAPR and cyclic shift of sequence(low cross-correlation) could be used to expand the number and type ofresponse.

FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating another example 703 of OFDMA/TDMAfeedback. Time division multiple access (TDMA) (e.g., such thatdifferent symbols may be transmitted at different times, e.g., S#1, S#2,S#3) may be used in combination with orthogonal frequency divisionmultiple access (OFDMA) (e.g., such as described with reference to FIG.3A-3E).

Note that MU responses may be based on OFDMA and TDMA.

A response from a WDEV may be a combination of OFMA and TDMA. Feedbackfrom N STA may be performed using a ceiling function, e.g., ceil(N/9)symbols in 20 MHz, ceil(N/36) symbols in 80 MHz.

Each STA may be uniquely assigned one Resource Block (RB) consisting ofone RU26 (e.g., energy sent only on the assigned RU26). Such operationavoids collision, and this provides no issues with respect to near/farSTA.

This example 703 of feedback from 25 users operates using 3 symbols(e.g., 3 symbols of N bits each). A “YES” from STA ID: 5, 8, 10, 14, 22and 25. A “NO response” from STA ID: 18. A “NO” from the remaining STAIDs.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example 800 of OFDMA/spatial stream(SS) feedback. This diagram shows an option of multi-user (MU) based onorthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA)/Spatial stream(SS) Feedback. Multiple user (MU) responses are OFDMA and orthogonal byencoding with the P-Matrix in the time direction. Each STA is uniquelyassigned one Resource Block (RB) consisting of one orthogonal allocationon one RU26. This operates with no collisions.

This diagram shows an example of feedback for up to 36 users. This uses4×4 P-Matrix. The sequence is HE-LTF 2× or Barker 13. A “YES” on RB #21:Sequence is sent on sub-carrier/tone indices [18:2:42], repeating for 4symbols and encoded with P-Matrix row 1. A “NO” on RB #11: Sequence issent on sub-carrier/tone indices [−67:2:−43], repeating for 4 symbolsand encoded with P-Matrix row 3.

FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method 901 forexecution by one or more wireless communication devices. The method 901begins in step 910 by generating a trigger frame that requests feedbackresponses from a plurality of other wireless communication devices. Themethod 901 continues in step 920 by transmitting (e.g., via acommunication interface of the wireless communication device) thetrigger frame to the plurality of other wireless communication devices.The method 901 then operates in step 930 by receiving simultaneously(e.g., via the communication interface of the wireless communicationdevice in response to the trigger frame and based on agreed-uponparameters between the wireless communication device and the pluralityof other wireless communication devices) the feedback responses thatinclude a first feedback response from a first other wirelesscommunication device within a first orthogonal frequency divisionmultiple access (OFDMA) resource unit (RU) as specified by theagreed-upon parameters and a second feedback response from a secondother wireless communication device within the first OFDMA RU or asecond OFDMA RU as specified by the agreed-upon parameters.

FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a method 902 forexecution by one or more wireless communication devices. The method 902begins in step 911 by performing, before transmitting of a trigger frameto a plurality of other wireless communication devices, a frame exchangewith the plurality of other wireless communication devices to determinethe agreed-upon parameters between the wireless communication device andthe plurality of other wireless communication devices.

As described in step 911 a, such agreed-upon parameters may include anyone or more of, in any combination, a number of wireless communicationdevices within the plurality of other wireless communication devices, RUallocations to be used by the plurality of other wireless communicationdevices including the first OFDMA RU to be used by the first otherwireless communication device and the second OFDMA RU to be used by thesecond other wireless communication device, a first OFDMA sub-carrierset within the first OFDMA RU to be used by the first other wirelesscommunication device to provide a first feedback response value and asecond OFDMA carrier set within the first OFDMA RU to be used by thefirst other wireless communication device to provide a second feedbackresponse value, at least one P-matrix to be used by at least one of theplurality of other wireless communication devices when transmitting atleast one of the feedback responses to the wireless communicationdevice, at least one number of OFDMA symbols to be used by the at leastone of the plurality of other wireless communication devices whentransmitting the at least one of the feedback responses to the wirelesscommunication device, and/or at least one of a number of bits to beincluded by the at least one of the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices when transmitting the at least one of the feedbackresponses to the wireless communication device.

Then, in some examples, the method 902 then operates by performing thesteps 910, 920, and 930 such as described with reference to the method901 of FIG. 9A. For example, a frame exchange may be performed between awireless communication device and a plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices so that those wireless communication devicesmutually know, agree, understand, etc. what the agreed-upon parametersare, what the response types and values correspond to, communicationparameters to be used, etc.

FIG. 9C is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a method 903 forexecution by one or more wireless communication devices. The method 903begins in step 912 by performing a frame exchange with a plurality ofother wireless communication devices to determine agreed-upon parametersbetween the wireless communication device and the plurality of otherwireless communication devices. The method 903 continues in step 922 bygenerating a trigger frame. In some examples, the trigger frame includesinformation that requests feedback responses from the plurality of otherwireless communication devices. The method 903 then operates in step 932by transmitting (e.g., via a communication interface of the wirelesscommunication device) the trigger frame to the plurality of otherwireless communication devices.

The method 903 continues in step 942 by receiving an orthogonalfrequency division multiple access (OFDMA) frame, in response to thetrigger frame and based on the agreed-upon parameters between thewireless communication device and the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices.

In some embodiments, as shown in step 942 a, the feedback responsesinclude a first feedback response from a first other wirelesscommunication device within a first OFDMA resource unit (RU) asspecified by the agreed-upon parameters. Also, in some embodiments, asshown in step 942 b, the feedback responses also include a second otherwireless communication device within the first OFDMA RU or a secondOFDMA RU as specified by the agreed-upon parameters.

This disclosure presents, among other things, various examples wherefeedback includes 3 states: “YES”, “NO” or “No response”. In someexamples, this is done by using 13 EVEN tones and 13 ODD tones in a 26tones RU (or vice versa). Different sets of sub-carriers may be assignedwithin the RU. For example, one example includes 4 sub-carrier sets eachhaving 6 sub-carriers.

This disclosure presents, among other things, various examples in whichthe number of response states is expanded. For example, an expansionfrom 3 to 6 response states is by using 4 set of 6 tones in a 26 tonesRU. Short feedback can be used for other purpose than just a “YES” or“NO” response. In some examples, feedback could be an answer for aquestion having 2 (or more) corresponding possible answers.

Examples of such questions may include: (1) Does the wirelesscommunication device have traffic in your queue for >20 mS, >100 mS? (3)How many bytes are buffered in the wireless communication device fortransmission >1000 bytes, >5000 bytes? And (3) How many packets arebuffered in the wireless communication device for transmission >5packets, >15 packets?

In some examples, this disclosure also proposes to scale one measurementof an answer/feedback response and compare it to the other measurementof an answer/feedback response to declare is one state is true or not.This can eliminate any need of tracking the channel noise, measured at adifferent time, to adjust a threshold. This novel scheme is very robustto change in the channel conditions and interference.

Also, note that one RU26 (e.g., a resource unit (RU) with 26sub-carriers/tones) could be subdivided in frequency to multiplexmultiple wireless stations (STAs). This frequency division multipleaccess (FDMA) technique allow more STA per symbol in the feedbackresponse.

In some specific examples, this disclosure presents that variousexamples include 4 sets of 6 sub-carriers/tones per RU26 (24 total outof 26 tones). For example, the two sets of 6 sub-carriers/tones areassigned to a first WDEV/STA #1 and the second set is assigned to asecond WDEV/STA #2. With this technique, this disclosure proposes that awireless communication device can signal a feedback response with anaffirmative “YES” and “NO”.

Another variation presented herein is to use set of tones for thechannel noise background measurement that is common for multiple STAs inone RU26. For example, if an embodiment has four sets of 6 tones in anRU26. One set of 6 tones could be used as a channel noise backgroundreference and the remaining three set could carry the feedback of 3STAs. With this technique, one example has an affirmative “YES”, the“NO” response is implied when the AP does not get a response.

Another variation is similar to just above but instead uses the whole242 tones RU instead of single 26 tones RU. For example, this could beperformed by subdividing the 242 tones RU in twenty-two sets of 11tones. The 11 tones sequence could be a Barker sequence. This couldoperate by using one set of 11 tones spread across 20 MHz for thereference background channel noise and use the remaining twenty-one setof 11 tones to multiplex 21 STAs. With this technique, this couldoperate by having an affirmative “YES”, the “NO” response is impliedwhen the AP does not get a response. With this technique, this couldoperate by having up to 21 affirmative states.

Another variation is similar to just above but instead uses 2 states perSTA to convey an affirmative “YES” and “NO”. With the twenty-two sets of11 tones, one set used as a reference noise, this could operate bymultiplexing up to 10 STAs.

It is noted that while certain examples provided herein use the exampleof a certain number of sub-carriers within a given resource unit (RU)and/or a certain subset of sub-carriers within an RU on which energy isincluded to effectuate a given response (e.g., a first response such asa yes response when energy is included on a first subset of sub-carrierswithin the RU(s) or alternatively a second response such as a noresponse when energy is included on a second subset of sub-carrierswithin the RU(s)). Specifically, some examples may use a 13 sub-carrierset, others may use a 6 sub-carriers set, etc. In general, the variousaspects, embodiments, and/or examples of the invention as presentedherein may be applied and used in specific examples of any desired size.

In general, a communication channel may include any desiredcommunication channel or sub-channel of a communication channelbandwidth size, desired number of RUs or any desired size, and anydesired number of sub-carriers may be included within those one or moreRUs (and different numbers of sub-carriers may be included in differentRUs), and any desired first one or more sub-carriers may be used toeffectuate a first response (e.g., a yes) and any desired second one ormore sub-carriers may be used to effectuate a second response (e.g., ano), any desired P-matrix of any size and dimension may be used (or notused), any desired sequence of any desired type (e.g., such as a Barkersequence, or not used), any combination of used and unused sub-carrierswithin one or more RU(s), any combination of two or more RUs, any numberof symbols, etc. and/or any other variations of the specific numbers andvalues of specific parameters as are used herein.

For example, while one specific example includes 4 sets of 6sub-carriers each within a RU such as an RU with 26 sub-carriers. Notethat the respective sets of 6 sub-carriers may be spread across a 20 MHzcommunication channel such that the respective sets of 6 sub-carriersare not composed respective or entirely of adjacently located orcontiguous sub-carriers (e.g., having some similarities to theprinciples shown with respect to FIG. 3C with respect to differentrespective sets of sub-carriers assigned to different respective users).Also, within some example that operate based on different respectivecommunication channels and/or sub-communication channels (e.g., such as20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, etc.), with respect to the sub-carriers locatedtherein, some examples employ only sub-carriers that are common to therespective different respective communication channels and/orsub-communication channels. Some other examples used adjacentsub-carriers sets for different respective responses (e.g., a firstsub-carrier set for a first response such as a yes response, and asecond first sub-carrier set for a second response such as a noresponse). Also, some examples may operate not to use certainsub-carriers (e.g., unused sub-carriers) that are at specific locations(e.g., such as the −2 and +2 sub-carrier indices within each respective20 MHz portion).

Another specific example includes 2 sets of 13 sub-carriers each withinan RU such as an RU with 26 sub-carriers. In general, any alternativecombination of sub-carriers within such an RU or 26 sub-carriers may beused without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Also,any one or more unused sub-carriers may be included in any specificexample of various combinations or sets of sub-carriers within any oneor more RUs. As some other examples considering an RU with 26sub-carriers, there could be 8 sets of 3 sub-carriers each, 7 sets of 3sub-carriers each, 6 sets of 4 sub-carriers each, 5 sets of 5sub-carriers, 4 sets of 6 sub-carriers, 3 sets of 8 sub-carriers, 2 setsof 13 sub-carriers each, 2 sets of 12 sub-carriers each, etc. Ingeneral, any specific number of sets of sub-carriers and any desiredspecific numbers of sub-carriers maybe included in each respective setof sub-carriers. Note also that such principles may be extended to anyother sized RU with any other number of sub-carriers.

It is also noted that the various operations and functions describedwithin various methods herein may be performed within a wirelesscommunication device (e.g., such as by the processing circuitry 330,communication interface 320, and memory 340 and/or processing circuitry330 a and/or processing circuitry 330 b such as described with referenceto FIG. 2B) and/or other components therein. Generally, a communicationinterface and processing circuitry (or alternatively a processingcircuitry that includes communication interface functionality,components, circuitry, etc.) in a wireless communication device canperform such operations.

Examples of some components may include one of more baseband processingmodules, one or more media access control (MAC) layer components, one ormore physical layer (PHY) components, and/or other components, etc. Forexample, such a processing circuitry can perform baseband processingoperations and can operate in conjunction with a radio, analog front end(AFE), etc. The processing circuitry can generate such signals, packets,frames, and/or equivalents etc. as described herein as well as performvarious operations described herein and/or their respective equivalents.

In some embodiments, such a baseband processing module and/or aprocessing module (which may be implemented in the same device orseparate devices) can perform such processing to generate signals fortransmission to another wireless communication device using any numberof radios and antennas. In some embodiments, such processing isperformed cooperatively by a processing circuitry in a first device andanother processing circuitry within a second device. In otherembodiments, such processing is performed wholly by a processingcircuitry within one device.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “configured to,” “operably coupled to,” “coupled to,” and/or“coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/or indirectcoupling between items via an intervening item (e.g., an item includes,but is not limited to, a component, an element, a circuit, and/or amodule) where, for an example of indirect coupling, the intervening itemdoes not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its currentlevel, voltage level, and/or power level. As may further be used herein,inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another elementby inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two items inthe same manner as “coupled to”. As may even further be used herein, theterm “configured to,” “operable to,” “coupled to,” or “operably coupledto” indicates that an item includes one or more of power connections,input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, when activated, one or more itscorresponding functions and may further include inferred coupling to oneor more other items. As may still further be used herein, the term“associated with,” includes direct and/or indirect coupling of separateitems and/or one item being embedded within another item.

As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably” or equivalent,indicates that a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc.,provides a desired relationship. For example, when the desiredrelationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, afavorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude of signal 1 isgreater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude of signal 2 is lessthan that of signal 1.

As may also be used herein, the terms “processing module,” “processingcircuit,” “processor,” and/or “processing unit” or their equivalents maybe a single processing device or a plurality of processing devices. Sucha processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digitalsignal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of thecircuitry and/or operational instructions. The processing module,module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit may be, or furtherinclude, memory and/or an integrated memory element, which may be asingle memory device, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embeddedcircuitry of another processing module, module, processing circuit,and/or processing unit. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory,random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, staticmemory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any devicethat stores digital information. Note that if the processing module,module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit includes more thanone processing device, the processing devices may be centrally located(e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless busstructure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing viaindirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network).Further note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit,and/or processing unit implements one or more of its functions via astate machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing the correspondingoperational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, thecircuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further note that, the memoryelement may store, and the processing module, module, processingcircuit, and/or processing unit executes, hard coded and/or operationalinstructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/orfunctions illustrated in one or more of the Figures. Such a memorydevice or memory element can be included in an article of manufacture.

One or more embodiments of an invention have been described above withthe aid of method steps illustrating the performance of specifiedfunctions and relationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence ofthese functional building blocks and method steps have been arbitrarilydefined herein for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries andsequences can be defined so long as the specified functions andrelationships are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundariesor sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claims.Further, the boundaries of these functional building blocks have beenarbitrarily defined for convenience of description. Alternate boundariescould be defined as long as the certain significant functions areappropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also havebeen arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certain significantfunctionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries andsequence could have been defined otherwise and still perform the certainsignificant functionality. Such alternate definitions of both functionalbuilding blocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus withinthe scope and spirit of the claimed invention. One of average skill inthe art will also recognize that the functional building blocks, andother illustrative blocks, modules and components herein, can beimplemented as illustrated or by discrete components, applicationspecific integrated circuits, processing circuitries, processorsexecuting appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

The one or more embodiments are used herein to illustrate one or moreaspects, one or more features, one or more concepts, and/or one or moreexamples of the invention. A physical embodiment of an apparatus, anarticle of manufacture, a machine, and/or of a process may include oneor more of the aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc. describedwith reference to one or more of the embodiments discussed herein.Further, from figure to figure, the embodiments may incorporate the sameor similarly named functions, steps, modules, etc. that may use the sameor different reference numbers and, as such, the functions, steps,modules, etc. may be the same or similar functions, steps, modules, etc.or different ones.

Unless specifically stated to the contra, signals to, from, and/orbetween elements in a figure of any of the figures presented herein maybe analog or digital, continuous time or discrete time, and single-endedor differential. For instance, if a signal path is shown as asingle-ended path, it also represents a differential signal path.Similarly, if a signal path is shown as a differential path, it alsorepresents a single-ended signal path. While one or more particulararchitectures are described herein, other architectures can likewise beimplemented that use one or more data buses not expressly shown, directconnectivity between elements, and/or indirect coupling between otherelements as recognized by one of average skill in the art.

The term “module” is used in the description of one or more of theembodiments. A module includes a processing module, a processor, afunctional block, a processing circuitry, hardware, and/or memory thatstores operational instructions for performing one or more functions asmay be described herein. Note that, if the module is implemented viahardware, the hardware may operate independently and/or in conjunctionwith software and/or firmware. As also used herein, a module may containone or more sub-modules, each of which may be one or more modules.

While particular combinations of various functions and features of theone or more embodiments have been expressly described herein, othercombinations of these features and functions are likewise possible. Thepresent disclosure of an invention is not limited by the particularexamples disclosed herein and expressly incorporates these othercombinations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless communication device comprises: acommunication interface; and processing circuitry that is coupled to thecommunication interface, wherein at least one of the communicationinterface or the processing circuitry configured to: generate a triggerframe that requests feedback responses from a plurality of otherwireless communication devices; transmit the trigger frame to theplurality of other wireless communication device; and receive, inresponse to the trigger frame, at least a first orthogonal frequencydivision multiple access (OFDMA) resource unit (RU), and wherein the atleast a first OFDMA RU is configured to include a plurality of thefeedback responses including at least a first feedback response from afirst other wireless communication device as specified by agreed-uponparameters for the first other wireless communication device and atleast a second feedback response from a second other wirelesscommunication device as specified by agreed-upon parameters for thesecond other wireless communication device.
 2. The wirelesscommunication device of claim 1, wherein the agreed-upon parametersinclude any of: number of bits in the feedback responses, number ofsymbols per 1 bit to transmit; P-matrix size, number of OFDMA symbols,or efficiency.
 3. The wireless communication device of claim 1, whereinthe processing circuitry is further configured to: perform, afterreceiving the at least a first feedback response and the at least asecond feedback response, a frame exchange with the plurality of otherwireless communication devices to determine other agreed-upon parametersbetween the wireless communication device and the plurality of otherwireless communication devices; generate another trigger frame thatrequests other feedback responses from the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices; transmit the another trigger frame to theplurality of other wireless communication devices; and receive, inresponse to the another trigger frame, the at least first orthogonalfrequency division multiple access (OFDMA) resource unit (RU) includinga third feedback response from the first other wireless communicationdevice as specified by the other agreed-upon parameters and a fourthfeedback response from the second other wireless communication device asspecified by the other agreed-upon parameters.
 4. The wirelesscommunication device of claim 3, wherein: the first feedback responsefrom the first other wireless communication device includes a firstnumber of bits; the second feedback response from the second otherwireless communication device includes the first number of bits; thethird feedback response from the first other wireless communicationdevice includes a second number of bits that is different than the firstnumber of bits; and the fourth feedback response from the second otherwireless communication device includes the second number of bits.
 5. Thewireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the processingcircuitry is further configured to: perform, after receiving the firstand second feedback responses, a frame exchange with the plurality ofother wireless communication devices to determine other agreed-uponparameters between the wireless communication device and the pluralityof other wireless communication devices; generate another trigger framethat requests other feedback responses from the plurality of otherwireless communication devices; transmit the another trigger frame tothe plurality of other wireless communication devices; and receive, inresponse to the another trigger frame, at least a second orthogonalfrequency division multiple access (OFDMA) resource unit (RU) includinga third feedback response from the first other wireless communicationdevice as specified by the other agreed-upon parameters and a fourthfeedback response from the second other wireless communication device asspecified by the other agreed-upon parameters.
 6. The wirelesscommunication device of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry isfurther configured to: perform, before transmitting the trigger frame tothe plurality of other wireless communication devices, a frame exchangewith the plurality of other wireless communication devices to determinethe agreed-upon parameters between the wireless communication device andthe plurality of other wireless communication devices, wherein theagreed-upon parameters include at least one of: a number of wirelesscommunication devices within the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices; RU allocations to be used by the plurality ofother wireless communication devices including the first OFDMA RU to beused by the first other wireless communication device and the secondother wireless communication device; wherein the RU allocations includea first OFDMA sub-carrier set within the first OFDMA RU to be used bythe first other wireless communication device to provide a firstfeedback response value and a second OFDMA carrier set within the firstOFDMA RU to be used by the first other wireless communication device toprovide a second feedback response value; at least one P-matrix to beused by at least one of the plurality of other wireless communicationdevices when transmitting at least one of the feedback responses to thewireless communication device; at least one number of OFDMA symbols tobe used by the at least one of the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices when transmitting the at least one of the feedbackresponses to the wireless communication device; or at least one of anumber of bits to be included by the at least one of the plurality ofother wireless communication devices when transmitting the at least oneof the feedback responses to the wireless communication device.
 7. Thewireless communication device of claim 1 further comprises: thecommunication interface configured to support communications within atleast one of a satellite communication system, a wireless communicationsystem, a wired communication system, a fiber-optic communicationsystem, or a mobile communication system.
 8. The wireless communicationdevice of claim 1 further comprises: an access point (AP), wherein theplurality of other wireless communication devices includes a wirelessstation (STA).
 9. A wireless communication device comprises: acommunication interface; and processing circuitry that is coupled to thecommunication interface, wherein at least one of the communicationinterface or the processing circuitry configured to: perform a frameexchange with a plurality of other wireless communication devices todetermine agreed-upon parameters between the wireless communicationdevice and the plurality of other wireless communication devices;generate a trigger frame that requests feedback responses from theplurality of other wireless communication devices; transmit the triggerframe to the plurality of other wireless communication devices; andreceive at least a first orthogonal frequency division multiple access(OFDMA) frame, in response to the trigger frame and based on theagreed-upon parameters between the wireless communication device and theplurality of other wireless communication devices, that includes aplurality of the feedback responses including at least a first feedbackresponse from a first other wireless communication device as specifiedby the agreed-upon parameters and a second feedback response from asecond other wireless communication device as specified by theagreed-upon parameters.
 10. The wireless communication device of claim9, wherein the agreed-upon parameters include any of: number of bits inthe feedback responses, number of symbols per 1 bit to transmit;P-matrix size, number of OFDMA symbols, or efficiency.
 11. The wirelesscommunication device of claim 9, wherein the agreed-upon parametersinclude at least one of: a number of wireless communication deviceswithin the plurality of other wireless communication devices; RUallocations to be used by the plurality of other wireless communicationdevices including the first OFDMA RU to be used by the first otherwireless communication device and the second other wirelesscommunication device; wherein the RU allocations include a first OFDMAsub-carrier set within the first OFDMA RU to be used by the first otherwireless communication device to provide a first feedback response valueand a second OFDMA carrier set within the first OFDMA RU to be used bythe second other wireless communication device to provide a secondfeedback response value.
 12. The wireless communication device of claim9, wherein the agreed-upon parameters include at least one of: a numberof wireless communication devices within the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices; RU allocations to be used by the plurality ofother wireless communication devices including the first OFDMA RU to beused by the first other wireless communication device and the secondother wireless communication device; wherein the RU allocations includea first OFDMA sub-carrier set within the first OFDMA RU to be used bythe first other wireless communication device to provide a firstfeedback response value and a second OFDMA carrier set within the firstOFDMA RU to be used by the first other wireless communication device toprovide a second feedback response value; at least one P-matrix to beused by at least one of the plurality of other wireless communicationdevices when transmitting at least one of the feedback responses to thewireless communication device; at least one number of OFDMA symbols tobe used by the at least one of the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices when transmitting the at least one of the feedbackresponses to the wireless communication device; or at least one of anumber of bits to be included by the at least one of the plurality ofother wireless communication devices when transmitting the at least oneof the feedback responses to the wireless communication device.
 13. Thewireless communication device of claim 9 further comprises: thecommunication interface configured to support communications within atleast one of a satellite communication system, a wireless communicationsystem, a wired communication system, a fiber-optic communicationsystem, or a mobile communication system.
 14. The wireless communicationdevice of claim 9 further comprises: an access point (AP), wherein theplurality of other wireless communication devices includes a wirelessstation (STA).
 15. The wireless communication device of claim 9, whereinthe processing circuitry is further configured to: perform, afterreceiving the first and second feedback responses, another frameexchange with the plurality of other wireless communication devices todetermine other agreed-upon parameters between the wirelesscommunication device and the plurality of other wireless communicationdevices; generate another trigger frame that requests other feedbackresponses from the plurality of other wireless communication devices;transmit the another trigger frame to the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices; and receive, in response to the another triggerframe, the at least first orthogonal frequency division multiple access(OFDMA) resource unit (RU) including a third feedback response from thefirst other wireless communication device as specified by the otheragreed-upon parameters and a fourth feedback response from the secondother wireless communication device as specified by the otheragreed-upon parameters.
 16. A method for execution by a wirelesscommunication device, the method comprises: generating a trigger framethat requests feedback responses from a plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices; transmitting, via a communication interface ofthe wireless communication device, the trigger frame to the plurality ofother wireless communication devices; and receiving within a commonorthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) resource unit(RU), via the communication interface of the wireless communicationdevice in response to the trigger frame and based on agreed-uponparameters between the wireless communication device and the pluralityof other wireless communication devices, the feedback responses thatinclude at least a first feedback response from a first other wirelesscommunication device and a second feedback response from a second otherwireless communication device.
 17. The method of claim 16 furthercomprises: performing, after receiving the first feedback response andthe second feedback response, a frame exchange with the plurality ofother wireless communication devices to determine other agreed-uponparameters between the wireless communication device and the pluralityof other wireless communication devices; generating another triggerframe that requests other feedback responses from the plurality of otherwireless communication devices; transmitting, via the communicationinterface of the wireless communication device, the another triggerframe to the plurality of other wireless communication devices; andreceiving, via the communication interface of the wireless communicationdevice in response to the another trigger frame and based the otheragreed-upon parameters between the wireless communication device and theplurality of other wireless communication devices, a third feedbackresponse from the first other wireless communication device within asecond OFDMA RU as specified by the other agreed-upon parameters and afourth feedback response from the second other wireless communicationdevice within the second OFDMA RU.
 18. The method of claim 16 furthercomprising: performing, before transmitting the trigger frame to theplurality of other wireless communication devices, a frame exchange withthe plurality of other wireless communication devices to determine theagreed-upon parameters between the wireless communication device and theplurality of other wireless communication devices, wherein theagreed-upon parameters include at least one of: a number of wirelesscommunication devices within the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices; RU allocations to be used by the plurality ofother wireless communication devices including the first OFDMA RU to beused by the first other wireless communication device and a second OFDMARU to be used by the second other wireless communication device; a firstOFDMA sub-carrier set within the first OFDMA RU to be used by the firstother wireless communication device to provide a first feedback responsevalue and a second OFDMA carrier set within the first OFDMA RU to beused by the first other wireless communication device to provide asecond feedback response value; at least one P-matrix to be used by atleast one of the plurality of other wireless communication devices whentransmitting at least one of the feedback responses to the wirelesscommunication device; at least one number of OFDMA symbols to be used bythe at least one of the plurality of other wireless communicationdevices when transmitting the at least one of the feedback responses tothe wireless communication device; or at least one of a number of bitsto be included by the at least one of the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices when transmitting the at least one of the feedbackresponses to the wireless communication device.
 19. The method of claim16 further comprises: performing, after receiving the first and secondfeedback responses, a frame exchange with the plurality of otherwireless communication devices to determine other agreed-upon parametersbetween the wireless communication device and the plurality of otherwireless communication devices; generating another trigger frame thatrequests other feedback responses from the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices; transmitting the another trigger frame to theplurality of other wireless communication devices; and receiving, inresponse to the another trigger frame, at least a second orthogonalfrequency division multiple access (OFDMA) resource unit (RU) includinga third feedback response from the first other wireless communicationdevice as specified by the other agreed-upon parameters and a fourthfeedback response from the second other wireless communication device asspecified by the other agreed-upon parameters.
 20. The method of claim16, wherein the agreed-upon parameters include at least one of: a numberof wireless communication devices within the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices; RU allocations to be used by the plurality ofother wireless communication devices including the first OFDMA RU to beused by the first other wireless communication device and the secondother wireless communication device; wherein the RU allocations includea first OFDMA sub-carrier set within the first OFDMA RU to be used bythe first other wireless communication device to provide a firstfeedback response value and a second OFDMA carrier set within the firstOFDMA RU to be used by the second other wireless communication device toprovide a second feedback response value.